Sold into love | sunsun ✔

13# ʙᴇᴛʀᴀʏᴀʟ

4 months later

Four months had passed since that tumultuous night, and a sense of calm had settled over the lives of Sunghoon, Sunoo, and their friends.

Jungwon and Jay had finally crossed the threshold of friendship into a romantic relationship. It took them a while to confess their feelings, but the three months of dating seemed to have only deepened their connection.

Heeseung and Jake continued their life as a couple, and their love was a source of inspiration for those around them.

Sunghoon and Sunoo's relationship had transformed into a sanctuary of love and support. The scars of the past were still present, but together, they faced each day with resilience.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Sunoo |

I sat in my room, and Jungwon's voice filled the room as we caught up on each other's lives through the phone.

"... and afterward, we went to a nearby café together," Jungwon shared, his excitement palpable even through the phone.

"Seems like your date was really great," I commented, smiling to myself. Jungwon hummed in response.

"What about you? Two months left until you can go, right?" Jungwon asked casually. His words hit me like a sudden realization. Two months until I could leave Sunghoon. It was a decision I had made before, but now, everything felt different.

"Sunoo?"

"I don't think I want to leave anymore," I admitted, surprising both Jungwon and myself.

"Really?" Jungwon inquired, a mix of curiosity and understanding in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm 100% sure. I can't leave him."

"Didn't you say you were just pretending to love him? Why the sudden change?" Jungwon questioned, trying to make sense of the change.

"I did pretend to love him, yeah... But now, I feel sorry for him. I know what he's been through, and leaving doesn't feel right. He needs someone. He needs to be loved by someone. He'd be upset if I just leave now," I explained.

"Did he not notice that you were just faking it?"

"Oh, I think he didn't notice. You know, my acting skills can be very convincing if I want them to be," I replied with a chuckle.

"No, but seriously. I don't think I need to pretend anymore. I'm having real feelings for him. I love him, Jungwon," I confessed.

"That's a bit too cheesy for my taste, Sunoo."

"Oh, come on, don't act like you and Jay aren't cheesy either."

We bantered for a while until Jungwon mentioned that he needed to go. Jay wanted to do something together, and I could hear the excitement in Jungwon's voice.

Weren't I just talking about how cheesy they are?

As we said our goodbyes, I couldn't help but reflect on the conversation. The decision to stay had surprised even me, but it felt right. Love had found its way into the pretending, and in the end, it was real.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

As the evening approached, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. Sunghoon and I had planned to watch a movie tonight, something we both had been looking forward to since yesterday.

I approached Sunghoon, "Should we watch a movie now?" The response I received was unexpected - he shook his head.

It was clear he wasn't in the mood anymore. I hesitated for a moment, and then quietly accepted his change of heart. After all, I've had those days too.